Sewing as authority in the Middle Ages
Abstract
This essay considers medieval sewing in light of Austin’s speech-act theory. Analysing manuscripts, relics, indulgences, and even a bishop’s mitre, the article argues that stitching was a way to enact, or intensify, the ritual purpose of objects, whether that was ceremonial, devotional, or authoritative. Whereas a speech act functions by its utterance, stitches act by forming visible and often ceremonious attachments between materials in order to aggrandise, embellish, assert and layer authority, or swathe an object in textiles as if it were a relic.
Citation
Rudy , K M 2015 , Sewing as authority in the Middle Ages . in L Engell & B Siegert (eds) , ZMK Zeitschrift für Medien - und Kulturforschung 6/1/2015 : Textil . Zeitschrift für Medien - und Kulturforschung (ZMK) , Felix Meiner Verlag GmbH , Hamburg , pp. 117-131 .
Publication
ZMK Zeitschrift für Medien - und Kulturforschung 6/1/2015
ISSN
1869-1366Type
Book item
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